Josh cleared his throat. “We need to connect the dots in order to get the big fish behind all of this. We’re looking at multiple incidents in different states and now internationally. We put you under our protection because we believe your testimony might be valuable once our case is made.”
Serena picked up where Josh left off. “It would be helpful if you could remember any more details.”
The marshals weren’t hiding her out of the goodness of their hearts. She was in witness protection because they thought she might be of value. “I know that you expect me to help.”
Josh paced. “In all the dealings with these mothers and children, there must have been names mentioned. There has to be some sort of connection back in the States.”
Morgan shook her head. “We dealt with a lot of different agencies and people.” She tried to piece the memories together... “That night Josef attacked me in the office, I was going through the records. There was a pattern with three of the women, meeting with me and then deciding to keep their babies. And then a few weeks later, they’d be back ready to give up their kid. When they came back, they seemed agitated and afraid.”
Josh crossed his arms over his chest. “So you think they might have been blackmailed or coerced?”
Morgan nodded. “I noticed other things, too. My coworker started transporting the babies across the border to meet the adoptive parents. Adoptive parents are supposed to meet residency requirements in Mexico—they can’t just have their babies delivered.”
Josh shoved his hands in his pockets. Both of them must be mulling over what she had told them. “When you showed up, I thought maybe you’d gotten a message from my local contact,” Morgan said.
Josh looked at her. “Brendan never called us.”
“Last night at least two guys were prowling around the grounds. They tapped on my window and tried to open my door. Then when I was outside, one of them knocked me over.” Her voice tinged with anxiety. “Do you think whoever this big boss is could have found me already and sent someone?”
Josh seemed alarmed. “What happened after he knocked you over?”
“He ran off because Alex was coming around the corner. Alex thinks it was just teenagers goofing around, but I don’t know.”
Josh’s voice grew intense. “Did you get a look at him?”
“All I saw was his plaid coat,” Morgan said.
“That’s not much to go on.” Serena faced Morgan. “We can look into it from the angle of information having leaked out. I don’t think any details about your relocation have been shared with anyone outside the St. Louis office except with Brendan. If there’s even the possibility you’ve been found, we’ll move you.”
Josh looked directly at Morgan. “You haven’t said anything to anyone, have you?”
Morgan grew nervous, remembering how Alex had pressed her for details about her past. “No, I haven’t let anything slip.”
Serena glanced at the children in the class and the surrounding buildings. “Do you like it here, Morgan?”
“I do. I love it.” She’d hate having to leave. “It reminds me of where I grew up. It’s just that there are children here, and I wouldn’t want them being hurt at my expense.” Or Alex.
“Morgan, we’ll do everything to ensure you’re safe here.” Serena’s gaze was unwavering. “For today, we’ll stay in the area until we can clear this up.”
“We can check with local authorities. Find out if any other properties had prowlers. If it was teenagers, they might have decided to make a night of it,” said Josh as they headed out of the stall. “Call Brendan if you’re worried.
Serena and Josh headed back toward their car.
She listened to their footsteps fade as she turned her attention back to the class.
“Looks like the therapy riding class is going fine.” Alex had come up behind her without her noticing.
Again she looked at the student riders being led around the arena. “Yes, they seem to be doing pretty good. I haven’t had to jump in at all.”
“It’s pretty self-regulating once you get it started.” He studied her for a moment. “Who were those people you were talking to?”
Morgan turned away from Alex, gripping the top of the fence for support. “They were friends from Des Moines.” She squeezed her eyes shut, hating herself for lying.
“Maybe they could come out riding sometime.”
“Yes, that would be nice.” Her stomach coiled into tight knots.
“Listen, I’ve got a kid who’s going to come and help you with some of the manual labor a few days after school and on weekends. He’s worked for me for almost a year. Craig has some issues but he’s a hard worker, and I feel he deserves a chance. His father has had his share of heartbreak, most of them due to a drinking problem.”
In that moment she saw Alex’s heart. He wanted to give a troubled kid something better than what he had. “Everyone deserves a chance.” She turned her attention back to the class.
“I’m not throwing too much at you at once, am I? You seem distracted,” Alex said.
Richie had a big grin on his face as he rode George around the arena. The sun warmed her skin. She did like it here. It would be a shame to have to leave. She looked into Alex’s brown eyes. “No, Alex, you’re doing fine. I’m sorry if I’m not focusing like I should.”
Morgan looked out at the parking lot where Josh and Serena had just pulled out. Another slow-moving car went by on the road. At first, she thought the car was going to pull into the lot. Instead, it eased past.
The hair on the back of her neck electrified and she felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature of the air. Why was the driver going so slowly? What was he looking for?
Alex touched her upper arm. “Something wrong?”
She shook her head, remembering Serena’s reassurance. “It’s nothing.”
“Good then. Craig should be here later this afternoon.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Morgan said.
“Tomorrow I’m going to the Waverly horse sale. I have funds to purchase another therapy horse. I’d value your opinion on picking one out.”
A horse sale meant crowds. And Waverly was one of the biggest in the Midwest. Even she had heard of it. “Isn’t there work to do around here?”
“No classes scheduled. We’ll get the horses squared away in the morning and head out.”
“Okay.” Her response sounded halfhearted. She might not even be here tomorrow.
“After you’re done with the class, there are some horses that need to be exercised. We try to make sure the boarded horses get out at least every other day. There’s a roster posted in the stable that shows when each horse was last exercised.”
Fear danced at the corners of her mind. She didn’t like the idea of riding alone when the marshals still hadn’t cleared up who the late-night prowlers were. “I suppose I can do that.”
Alex stepped toward her, concern etched on his face. “Are you sure everything is all right?”
She’d have to get beyond her own fear if she was going to do this job even if it was just for another day. “No, I’m fine.” And she’d have to learn to stuff her emotions a little better. Alex was way too tuned in to what she was feeling even when she tried to hide it.
Alex